ACCOUNTS, &C., OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 



The following may be specially mentioned : — 



The formation of a complete series of Scandinavian Birds being highly desirable for 

 the sake of comparison with the species of the British Fauna, a collection of 132 skins 

 has been acquired by purchase as a first instalment. 



An adult female of the Laemmer-geier {^Gypattus barlatus) from Spain ; presented by 

 Howard Saunders, Esq., F.z.s. 



Two specimens of the Spanish Short-toed Lark ( Calandrella hcetica) ; presented by 

 Lord Lilford. 



The types of a new species of Raven ( Corvus tingitanus) from Tangier ; presented by 

 Lieut. Col. Irby. 



A set of the Birds collected by W. T. Blanford, Esq., in Persia, consisting of 319 skins ; 

 it contains some typical specimens of the species discovered by him ; obtained by exchano-e. 



A sejies of 50 specimens from Siberia and other countries, containing 13 species not pre- 

 viously represented in the collection ; obtained by exchange from the Warsaw Museum. 



A series of 20 skins of rare species of Birds of Prey from Northern China ; collected by 

 E. Swinhoe, Esq., F.z.s. 



Ten specimens of as many species new to the collection, from India ; presented by Allan 

 Hume, Esq., c.b. 



One of the types of Paradoxornis austeni from the Naga Hills ; presented by Major 

 Godwin Austen, r.z.s. 



A series of 72 skins from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, containing 21 species new 

 to the collection ; presented by E. B. Sharpe, Esq. 



A specimen of the Megapodefrom Trinkut Island; presented by Professor Sharpey, f.r.s. 



Twenty-five eggs of Megapodes from New Britain and the Solomon Islands ; presented 

 by J. Brazier, Esq. 



Three specimens of the singular Samoan Ground-pigeon (DzrfMjjcwZM.t), in spirits; pre- 

 sented by the Rev. S. J. Whitmee. 



A collection of 125 skins from Labuan ; presented by R. B. Sharpe, Esq. 



The type of a new Pheasant {Lobiophusis hulweii) from the interior, of Borneo ; pre- 

 sented by H. E. the Governor of Labuan, and named after the donor. This is one of 

 the most interestino; additions that have been made for some years past to our knowledge 

 of birds. It is a bird rather above the size of a common Pheasant, and with skinny 

 wattles on the naked head which are probably of a bright blue colour during life. The 

 body, which is entirely of a deep black colour (each feather having a glossy margin), ter- 

 minates in a long lyre-shaped snowy-white tail. 



Twenty-four specimens from the regions of the Upper Nile ; presented by Sir Samuel 

 Baker. 



A portion of the collection of African Birds formed by, and formerly in the possession 

 of, Mr. R. B. Sharpe ; it consists of 603 specimens, and contains 15 types ; purchased. 



Seventy-six specimens from the Gaboon ; collected and presented by T. Ansell, Esq. 

 Two new species {Dryoscopwi coronatus and Centropus anselli) are amongst the latest dis- 

 coveries of this indefatigable Naturalist. 



A series of 12 specimens of Birds of Prey from Madagascar ; purchased. 



A new genus from Old Calabar (JLoiornis ulexandri) ; j^resented by Dr. J. A. Smith. 



A series of nests and eggs of Birds from the neighbourhood of Buenos Ayres, among 

 them, those of the parasitic Cow-Birds {3folothrus) ; presented by W. H. Hudson, Esq. 



Twenty -two skins of Birds of Prey from Demerara : presented by R. B. Sharpe, Esq 



The types of Todus pulcherrimus and Phanicomanes ioia; purchased. 



Reptiles and Amphibians : — The total nmmber of additions amounts to 2,540 specimens. 



The most important acquisition for this brancb of the department was the purchase of 

 a collection formed by Colonel Beddome in Southern India. In his position as Conser- 

 vator of Forests in the Madras Presidency, this gentleman had unequalled opportunities 

 for collecting in districts which had never before been visited by naturalists, and are still 

 most difficult of access to collectors. A part of his numerous discoveries has been 

 described by himself ; but the greater part of the collection, especially the Batrachians 

 has not yet been examined. The value of this collection consists not only in the great 

 number of types it contains, but also in the completeness with which it illustrates the 

 Reptilian Fauna of that well-defined district of the Indian region, the localities of all the 

 specimens having been carefully noted. This collection consists of 1,518 specimens. 



Of the other additions the following may be mentioned : — 



Specimens of a new European Lizard {Zootoca lilfordi) ; discovered by Lord Lilford 

 on Ayre Island near Minorca, and presented by him. 



Five Lizards of the family of Geckoes from Cairo ; presented by Professor Owen, 



C.B., F.R.S. 



A set of the Reptiles collected by W. T. Blanford, Esq., in Persia, consisting of 148 

 specimens ; it contains typical specimens of the majority of the species discovered by him ; 

 obtained by exchange. 



The type of CentrotracJielus loricatus from Bushire ; presented by P. L. Slater, Esq., 



F.E.S. 



Thirty-four specimens from Chefoo, collected by R. Swinhoe, Esq., F.z.s. 

 Fifteen specimens from the Western Hills of Pekin ; presented by S. W. Bushell, 

 Esq., M.D. 



Thirty-four 



